Organometallic Nanoparticles Ligated by NHCs: Synthesis, Surface Chemistry and Ligand Effects

Description

Over the last 20 years, the use of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) in catalysis has awakened a great interest in the scientific community, mainly due to the many advantages of this kind of nanostructures in catalytic applications. MNPs exhibit the characteristic stability of heterogeneous catalysts, but with a higher active surface area than conventional metallic materials. However, despite their higher activity, MNPs present a wide variety of active sites, which makes it difficult to control their selectivity in catalytic processes. An efficient way to modulate the activity/selectivity of MNPs is the use of coordinating ligands, which transforms the MNP surface, subsequently modifying the nanoparticle catalytic properties. In relation to this, the use of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) as stabilizing ligands has demonstrated to be an effective tool to modify the size, stability, solubility and catalytic reactivity of MNPs. Although NHC-stabilized MNPs can be prepared by different synthetic methods, this review is centered on those prepared by an organometallic approach. Here, an organometallic precursor is decomposed under H2 in the presence of non-stoichiometric amounts of the corresponding NHC-ligand. The resulting organometallic nanoparticles present a clean surface, which makes them perfect candidates for catalytic applications and surface studies. In short, this revision study emphasizes the great versatility of NHC ligands as MNP stabilizers, as well as their influence on catalysis.

Abstract

Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Proyectos Intramurales Especiales (201880E079)

Abstract

Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV)-Primeros Proyectos de Investigación PAID-06-18 (SP20180088)

Abstract

Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)-PID2019-104159GB-I00/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033

Abstract

Junta de Andalucía-PY18-3208

Additional details